Trademark registration in Croatia

The country of Croatia located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean is the gateway to the vast Balkan market of more than 20 million people and is connected to important roads, railways and waterways. Croatia is famous for its beautiful natural landscape, rich cultural heritage and romantic Adriatic coastline. The tourism industry contributes 20% of GDP and is an important source of foreign exchange revenue. With the potential to develop ecotourism, sea tourism, cultural tourism and medical tourism, more and more businesses are investing in business here. To be able to differentiate their brand from competitors, businesses need to carry out trademark registration procedures to enhance their brand value. Viet An Law would like to guide customers preliminarily on the procedure for trademark registration in Croatia.

Legal basis

• The Law on Industrial Design and the Law amending and supplementing the Law on Industrial Design (Official Newspapers 173/2003, 76/2007, 30/2009, 49/2011 & 46/2018);
• Trademark Law (Official Issue 14/2019).

Definition of “trademark” in Croatia

A trademark in Croatia is an exclusive right granted to a sign that distinguishes an entity’s product or service from others. This sign can be:

• One word
• A phrase
• One name
• A logo
• An icon
• One design
• A combination of these factors

The main function of a trademark is to allow consumers to easily identify the origin of products or services and distinguish them from competitors.

Benefits of registering a trademark in Croatia

Exclusive rights

The registration gives the business the exclusive right to use its trademark in Croatia for the specific products and services it registers. This means that other businesses cannot use a confusingly similar sign without their permission.

Legal protection

A registered trademark allows a business to take legal action against anyone who infringes its trademark. This can include unauthorized use of a business’s trademark, imitation of its products, or unauthorized use of its brand name.

Brand identity and consumer trust 

The registered trademark helps strengthen the brand identity of the business in Croatia. It lets consumers know that your product or service is genuine and helps them differentiate your business from your competitors.

Prevent violations

Having a registered trademark prevents others from copying your trademark. They know businesses have the legal right to take action if they violate it.

International protection potential

Croatian trademark registration can be a stepping stone to international trademark protection. Enterprises can use their national registration as a basis for filing applications in other countries or through the Madrid Protocol on International Trademark Registration.

Future business growth

A strong trademark is a valuable asset for your business. It can play an important role for future business expansion, franchising or licensing opportunities.

Trademark registration dossier in Croatia

Application Form:

The applicant needs to complete the trademark application form provided by the Croatian State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO). This form usually includes details such as: Applicant information (name, address, nationality); Representative information (if any); Trademark details (wording, logo, design, etc.); List of goods and services to which the trademark applies (using the Nice Classification groups); Application fee

Trademark samples:

The applicant should submit a clear image of the applicant’s trademark. This image may refer to:

• High-quality images of logos or designs
• Clear drawing of the letter mark
• A detailed description if the trademark includes sounds, scents, or movements

Proof of payment: Includes receipt or confirmation of payment of trademark registration fee.

Optional Documents:

• Priority Documentation: If the priority claim is  based on a previous trademark application filed in another country, the applicant may need to submit a certified copy of that application.
• Power of attorney: If using a proxy for the registration process, include a power of attorney.

Trademark registration fees in Croatia

Filing a trademark application:

Personal Brands

• Basic fee for a group of goods or services: *500 HRK / 36 EUR1
• Additional fee for each additional group of goods or services: *150 HRK / 91 EUR1

Class mark or guarantee

• Basic fee for a group of goods or services: *1,000 HRK /72 EUR1
• Additional fee for each additional group of goods or services: 300 HRK/ 39.82 EUR1

Note: For applications submitted electronically, costs will be reduced by 20%

Trademark maintenance and trademark disclosure

Fees for maintaining the trademark for a period of 10 years and publishing information about the trademark in the official gazette:

Personal Brands

• A group of goods or services: *500 HRK / 36 EUR1
• Each additional group of goods or services: *150 HRK / 91 EUR1

Class mark or guarantee

• One group of goods or services: *1,000 HRK /72 EUR1
• Each additional group of goods or services: 300 HRK/ 39.82 EUR1

Issuance of Registration Certificate

• Original certificate: 1,200 HRK / 159.27 EUR1
• Copy of Certificate: 300 HRK/ 39.82 EUR1

Issuance of Priority Certificate

• One copy of certificate: 250 HRK / 33.18 EUR1
• Each additional copy: 150 HRK/19.91 EUR1 50 HRK / 6.64 EUR1

How to file a trademark application in Croatia

To file for trademark protection in Croatia, you can apply using the following filing methods:

• Direct submission: You can come directly to  the Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia (SIPO) at Ulica grada Vukovara 78 10000 Zagreb Republic of Croatia to submit your application and related documents.
• By Post or Email, Fax: You can send your application form and all necessary documents via postal service or courier service to the address of the  State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia (SIPO) at Ulica grada Vukovara 78 10000 Zagreb Republic of Croatia.
• Submit online via website: https://eprijava.dziv.hr/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f When applying online you should pay attention to the payment of the relevant fee according to the instructions of the State Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Croatia.

Registration of trademark protection in Croatia through the Madrid System

The Madrid system is a convenient and cost-effective solution for global trademark registration and management. File a single international trademark application and pay a one-time fee to apply for protection in up to 130 countries. Claimants can modify, renew or expand their global trademark portfolio through a centralized system.

Madrid Agreement:

• Croatia joined the Madrid Accords on 8 October 1991.
• The Madrid Agreement allows trademark owners to register their trademarks in a single member state (“country of origin”) and then extend protection to other member states (“nominating countries”) through a single international application.

Madrid Protocol:

• Croatia accessed the Madrid Protocol on 23 January 2004.
• The Madrid Protocol modernizes and simplifies the international registration system of trademarks established under the Madrid Agreement.
• The Madrid Protocol allows trademark owners to designate additional member states to an international application already filed under the Madrid Agreement or Madrid Protocol.

Trademark registration dossier under the Madrid System

The Madrid Singles consist of the Madrid Singles of Vietnamese origin and the Madrid Singles with Croatian designations.

For the Madrid Application of Vietnamese origin, the applicant must submit through the state management agency for industrial property rights, i.e. the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam. According to Article 25 of Decree 65/2023/ND-CP, a Madrid application of Vietnamese origin includes the following documents:

• Declaration of request for international registration of a trademark of Vietnamese origin (Form No. 01 in Vietnamese in Appendix II of Decree 65/2023/ND-CP);
• 02 MM2 declarations according to the form of the International Office in English or French;
• 02 trademark samples exactly as the trademark in the application filed in Vietnam (establishment application) or trademark registration certificate (establishment registration);
• 02 MM18 declarations in English (if the application has a US designation);
• Written authorization in Vietnamese (According to the form of Viet An Law Firm);
• Documents of payment of fees for international registration of trademarks of Vietnamese origin;
• Other relevant documents (if necessary).

Application fees through the Madrid System

The fees include:

• Basic fee (653 Swiss francs; or 903 Swiss francs for a color mark) (Note! A 90% discount applies if the applicant lodges an application with the Intellectual Property Office of a developing country at least); and
• Additional fees depend on where the claimant wishes to protect his trademark and the number of groups of goods and services he or she wishes to register. In order to expand its geographic reach, or modify or renew its international registration, the applicant will have to pay additional fees.

Trademark registration service in Croatia of Viet An Law Firm

• Carry out the search and notify customers in writing of the results of trademark search in Croatia;
• Drafting dossiers and directly submitting and monitoring the status of trademark filings in Croatia on behalf of trademark owners;
• Inform, advise and handle deficiencies/refusals of competent State agencies (if any) in the process of monitoring trademark applications in Croatia;
• Assist in monitoring, representing the resolution of objections and responding to intellectual property representatives carrying out procedures in Croatia.
• Receive dispatches, certificates and hand over to customers (if any).

If you want to file a trademark application in Croatia, please contact Viet An Law Firm for the most effective support.